Affording an SFCS Education

1.     FINANCIAL AID OVERVIEW

A strong financial aid program supports Santa Fe Christian's commitment to economic diversity within our student body. Approximately 25% of our students receive some form of tuition assistance. Our financial aid budget for the 2013-2014 school year is approximately $1.5 million.

Grants are awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Financial aid is available to students in K through Grade 12. Once a financial aid commitment is made to a family, continuing assistance can be anticipated as long as financial need continues to be demonstrated and the family submits in a timely manner all required information.

The financial aid program at Santa Fe Christian is need-based. When the family of an accepted student demonstrates financial need, the school makes every effort to help offset the cost of a Santa Fe Christian education according to that family's particular need.  All financial aid decisions are guided by financial data submitted to Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) by Independent School Management (ISM).

2.     FAST FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS

In order for us to allocate our resources wisely and fairly, we have enlisted the help of the Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) program by Independent School Management (ISM). ISM's FAST does not decide whether financial assistance will be given or how much to give. Rather, FAST provides a need-based financial aid analysis service. FAST provides the school with a report, which includes a recommendation of what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition. All information from FAST is kept confidential.

Please note that Santa Fe Christian is not able to meet the full amount of the recommended contribution for every family.  Financial Aid awards are limited to 50% of the annual tuition amount.  FAST award recommendations of less than 50% can be appealed in writing to the school’s Financial Aid Committee and such appeals are reviewed on a case by case basis.

In addition to completing the FAST application, families are required to mail signed copies of their Federal 2011 1040, including all schedules, State 2011 Tax Return, and W-2's directly to ISM at the address listed below.

Steps to Complete Financial Aid Application

a)      Visit the FAST website. The application process is self-guided. You may navigate in and out of the program which allows you to partially complete an application and go back to it at another time. A helpline is available 24 hours a day by calling 1-877-326-FAST. If you do have questions, please call the FAST hotline, as Santa Fe Christian will not be able to answer questions regarding the FAST application.

b)      Turn in your taxes.  After completing the online application, you are required to mail a signed copy of your 2011 Federal Tax Return, 2011 State Tax Return, all schedules, and W-2's to:

ISM/FAST
1316 North Union Street
Wilmington, DE 19806-2594

Please note that all financial aid requests, including financial information and award amounts, are kept completely confidential. Families are expected to keep the amount of their award confidential.

Timeline

Financial assistance requests are evaluated beginning in November and continue until the funds are depleted. Awards are made to existing families in January and to prospective families concurrent with admissions acceptances. Financial aid awards are made on a first come first serve basis with total funds being allocated up to the amount established annually by the SFCS Board of Directors.

Renewals

Aid is awarded annually and for one year at a time. Thus, all aid recipients must repeat the full application process each year. If a family does not meet the deadlines or follow all the steps correctly, they may not be funded.  Returning families receiving financial aid will receive a reminder from the Financial Aid Office to reapply in mid-December.

3.     TUITION AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Tuition 2013-2014

A one-time, non-refundable enrollment fee of $2,000 is payable when the enrollment contract is signed and submitted. This $1,500 of the non-refundable enrollment fee is applicable to tuition as reflected above.

Included in tuition:  student retreats, camps, elective fees, yearbooks, club memberships, class fees and field trips.

Additional costs vary by student choice:

• Athletic Fees range $150-$500. Vary by sport
•  Bus Fee: to be determined
• Uniforms range $275-$775. Purchase from Mills 
• Textbooks: Lower School included in tuition.  Grades 6-12 range $300-$770. Purchase from MBSdirect

Payment Options

Three options are available for paying tuition:

• Annual Pay                        All tuition due by June 1  (Eligible for a 2% Discount)
• Semi-Annual Pay             ½ tuition due by July 1  and ½ tuition due by December 1 (Eligible for a 1%
                                              Discount)
• Monthly Pay                      11 Monthly Payments July 10  through June 10 with no payment due in February

4.     SCHOLARSHIP AND LOAN PROGRAMS

Several scholarship and loan programs are available to students currently attending, or applying for admission to, Santa Fe Christian Schools.  These scholarship programs currently include:

  

Will Wardrip Foundation Scholarship

The Will Wardrip Foundation awards scholarships to qualified and deserving students throughout San Diego County with financial need. San Diego County high school students who demonstrate the greatest desire and have significant obstacles to fund their own education will be selected as scholarship recipients.  You can review information about the Foundation and download the application by clicking here.

 

Eagle Scholarship

Santa Fe Christian Schools is pleased to offer a 4-year scholarship to an incoming high school freshman new to SFC who embodies the school’s mission in academics, personal faith in Jesus Christ, and servant leadership. Each year, the Eagle Scholarship is awarded to one 9^th grade student who excels academically, puts his/her faith in action, and displays outstanding leadership skills. The scholarship provides funding for tuition, books, uniforms, athletic fees, and field trips for up to four years. Scholarship applicants must be new to Santa Fe Christian Schools and be accepted by the admissions committee to be eligible.  You can view and download the application by clicking here.

Evelyn Huey Scholarship
The Evelyn Huey Scholarship, funded by the SFCS Alumni Association, awards scholarships to current SFC seniors, giving them the opportunity to complete their education at Santa Fe Christian. You can view and download the application by clicking here.

 

Sallie Mae Loan

Sallie Mae is a national leader in providing tuition financing for K-12 private schools.  Santa Fe Christian Schools is approved under the Sallie Mae loan program.  Information regarding the program and applications for financing can be obtained by clicking here.

 

5.     FINANCIAL AID POLICIES

The following are some specific policies relating to financial aid at Santa Fe Christian:

Separated or Divorced Parents

Santa Fe Christian expects parents to pay the educational costs for their children to the full extent they are financially able. This principle applies to all parents, even those who are separated or divorced.  SFC is not bound by, and will not honor, any decrees, agreement, or legal document excusing a parent from financial responsibility for a child's education. Nor will SFC be bound by a parent who has disclaimed financial responsibility for the student.

Both parents are expected to file all of the necessary forms and to comply fully with all of the guidelines and requirements of the aid process. Thus, tax returns and forms are required of all parents. The custodial and non-custodial parent must each fill out the FAST application. Re-marriage of either natural parent creates a new family unit with new relationships, but since the parents still have a parental obligation, the income and assets of the entire family unit (including new family units and step-parents) are viewed as relevant for the purposes of calculating a family's level of need. Santa Fe Christian Schools considers the obligations of the parents to their new family situation in determining the award, but will not allocate the award on a proportional basis among the families. The responsibility for communication and payment lies with the custodial parent.

Parents Voluntarily Reducing Income

Santa Fe Christian's policy is to decline to subsidize financial aid for a parent's voluntary reduction in income (i.e. voluntarily terminating employment, choosing to start a business, etc.). It is assumed that the parent has considered the impact such a choice would have on his/her ability to afford the cost of a Santa Fe Christian education, and that such a change could prevent a child from enrolling or returning to school. This situation results in a calculation of need on the basis of the family's income before the voluntary reduction. Returning to school, for professional or graduate work, or to change careers, is considered a voluntary reduction in income and is treated accordingly.

Non-Working Parents

Santa Fe Christian expects families to do their utmost to provide for their students’ education. Where one parent chooses not to work and has children who are in school full-time, the Finance Office will re-calculate need using an imputed, minimum income for the non-working parent. Note that this policy does not require the parent to work. It only attempts to adjust the level of need by accounting for the minimum income that the parent could earn if he or she chose to return to work. If a parent can document that he or she is disabled or otherwise unable to work (caring for an aged parent, for example), this policy would not apply. The rationale for this policy is similar to that for voluntary reductions in income (see above).

Trust and/or "College" Funds

Trust funds and/or funds or accounts ear-marked "For College" are considered student assets and are treated accordingly. While it may not be possible for a family to tap the principal of such funds, the existence of the funds means that more of the family's current income is available for tuition.

6.     WITHDRAWAL POLICIES:

Withdrawal Policy

The overhead expenses of the SFCS do not diminish with the departure of students during the course of a year.  As a result, the following withdrawal policy applies to all enrolled students:

*Determined by the date parents notify the SFC’s Registrar in writing of their intent to withdraw their student